Thomas Edward Brooks

He was born on April 3, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Thomas Floyd Brooks and the late Freda May (Kerr).

On October 10, 2009, he married the love of his life, Nancy (Beahler) Brooks, at Forum Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri. The two met while working together at the VA Hospital, where their shared dedication to helping others brought them together.

Tom proudly served his country for seven years and ten months in the United States Navy and was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. He was also stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, Mayport, Florida, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After his military service, he continued caring for fellow veterans for 41 years as a lab technician at the Veterans Hospital.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed going to flea markets and even had booths of his own. He liked deer hunting, fishing, watching the Cardinals play, and spending time with his beloved ’57 Chevy. He also coached Little League, loved feeding his birds, going to estate sales after his wife showed him how fun they were, and was in the 55+ group at church.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Brooks; his children, Thomas Andrew “Drew” Brooks (Chloe), Jason Brooks (Stacy Williams), Alexander “Alex” Brooks, Ivory Brooks, and Gene Underwood; his grandchildren, Keenan, Harper, Zana, Aiden, and Asher; his good friend and the mother of two of his children, Kathy Lammers; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Forum Christian Church, 3900 Forum Blvd, Columbia, MO 65203 with Tyler Morris officiating. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the church until the time of service. Military honors will follow. Ivory has requested that guests wear red or blue in honor of Tom.

Memorial donations are suggested to Forum Christian Church, 3900 Forum Blvd, Columbia, MO 65203 or the Parkinson Foundation, 3570 Olney Laytonville Rd #490, Olney, MD 20830.